DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 11: Carson Hocevar, driver of the No. 77 Spectrum Chevrolet, walks the grid during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 11, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Spire Motorsports has suspended Carson Hocevar for this weekend’s NASCAR championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Justin Haley will drive the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Spectrum.
“A decision like this has many variables and a cascading effect within an organization like ours,” said Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports. “The easiest thing would have been to leave this in the hands of NASCAR and let them decide what the penalty should be. For us, however, it’s not about money or points. We believe in respect. Our integrity matters. This is the right decision for Spire Motorsports.”
“Everyone here enjoys working with Carson, and we’ve enjoyed watching him thrive alongside our team. Sometimes the right decision for someone you care about hurts in the short term. The way Carson behaved at Martinsville doesn’t meet the standards we set for our drivers, team members or employees, and that has consequences. That doesn’t mean we don’t love and support him.”
“Racing at the Cup level is a privilege, and with that comes the level of professionalism expected from everyone who represents Spire Motorsports. We will go to Homestead united and compete as an organization. After that, we can prepare for Daytona in February with the right mindset to contend for a championship.”
— Spire Motorsport —
Hocevar statement: “This is an embarrassing day for me. I let down the people who gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to drive a Cup car. I also let down my team, my sponsors and my fans. I crossed the line with my actions on the track and gave Jeff and Spire Motorsports no choice but to put someone else in the 77 car this weekend at Homestead. I will support the entire organization this weekend and I look forward to returning in 2027 as a top driver, competitor and teammate.”
– Carson Hocevar (@CarsonHocevar) November 3, 2026
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